Buying guide for Best coffee scrubs
What’s more refreshing than a cup of coffee? Besides the taste and aroma, coffee has caffeine, a stimulant that boosts your overall alertness. Believe it or not, when added to a scrub, coffee can be good for your skin, too.
Coffee scrubs exfoliate and stimulate the skin to improve the complexion. In addition to sloughing away dead skin cells, coffee scrubs have anti-inflammatory properties to calm irritation or redness. They’re also ideal for firming skin to give it a supple, youthful appearance. Many coffee scrubs are infused with skin-healthy ingredients like vitamins or essential oils to boost their benefits. Of course, one of the most loved benefits of coffee scrub is the pleasant, invigorating scent.
Key considerations
Perks of using a coffee scrub
First and foremost, coffee scrubs are exfoliators. Their grainy texture sloughs away dead skin to reveal the radiant skin beneath. Not only does this improve skin’s smoothness and evenness, but removing excess layers of skin can help minimize breakouts related to clogged pores.
Coffee scrubs are also popular with individuals who aren’t partial to other scented skincare products. More often than not, these scrubs stick to coffee as the main scent, which makes them more tolerable than other scrubs to some people.
Besides smelling great and leaving the skin glowing, coffee scrubs are filled with skin-healthy attributes. They have anti-inflammatory properties, brighten skin, and help smooth over fine lines or wrinkles. Many individuals, including postpartum moms, use coffee scrubs to stimulate collagen production and minimize the appearance of stretch marks.
How to use a coffee scrub
Skin type: To get the most out of a coffee scrub, first consider your skin type. If your skin is sensitive, or you experience body acne, a coffee scrub might not be ideal. On the other hand, individuals with dry, normal, combination, or oily skin can benefit the most from using a coffee scrub.
Skincare routine: Next, think about your overall skincare routine. Using the correct products before and after using a coffee scrub may maximize benefits on all fronts. As far as your shower routine, use body soap or body wash before using a coffee scrub. This removes surface dirt and buildup, clearing the path for unobstructed exfoliation. After your shower, apply moisturizing body lotion, body cream, or body butter to maintain smoothness.
Frequency: Knowing how often to use coffee scrub is also important because overuse can irritate or damage the skin. Some individuals can tolerate exfoliation up to four times a week, whereas those with more sensitive skin should not use the scrub more than twice a week.
Did You Know?
It’s recommended that you not store your coffee scrub in the shower. Moisture and contaminants can find their way into the scrub if the package isn’t tightly sealed.
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Features
Ingredients
Coffee: This remains a leading ingredient in coffee scrubs for obvious reasons, though the quality of coffee is important. Some skincare brands are transparent about their sourcing and detail where the coffee beans come from and whether they’re organic or non-GMO. Certain brands specify the type of bean that’s used in the scrub, too.
Nutrients: Many coffee scrubs are infused with vitamin E, which serves as an antioxidant and protects skin from damage by free radicals. There are also several varieties of oil used in coffee scrubs, including olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil. These deliver a dose of nutrients and lock in moisture.
Emollients: Shea butter and cocoa butter are often found in coffee scrubs. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties and soothes dry, irritated skin. Cocoa butter is effective at smoothing over variations in texture from scars, cellulite, or stretch marks. It’s also effective at minimizing damage from UV exposure.
Texture
Like other exfoliators, coffee scrubs are filled with grainy particles that dislodge dead skin. This is achieved by grinding the coffee beans, either finely or coarsely, and mixing them with other ground ingredients like charcoal, baking soda, sea salt, seeds, or nuts.
As mentioned above, being aware of your skin type will help you select the best texture in a coffee scrub. Those who have normal or combination skin with major rough patches will benefit from using coffee scrubs with larger grainy particles. But this might be too harsh for those with sensitive skin, and for them, scrubs with finer particles are recommended. With that said, it’s sometimes difficult to gauge exfoliation with fine-textured scrubs, so you’ll need to apply them carefully to avoid irritation.
Specialty formulas
There are countless varieties of coffee scrub on the market, so you’re in luck if you’re searching for a specific formula.
If you prefer a cleaner or eco-friendly coffee scrub, you’ll find varieties that are organic, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, sulfate-free, or paraben-free. For individuals who are prone to mild breakouts, there are noncomedogenic coffee scrubs. There are also coffee scrubs that are entirely naturally derived and leave harsh chemicals or preservatives out of their formulas.
Start your day by using a coffee scrub in your morning shower. The uplifting aroma will invigorate your senses and help you wake up.
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Coffee scrub prices
Coffee scrubs range in price from $6 to $60, mostly depending on the quality of the ingredients and formula.
Inexpensive
If you’re on a budget, you’ll find a decent assortment of drugstore coffee scrubs priced at $15 or less. These formulas are universally appealing and primarily intended for normal skin, so if you have specific skin concerns, this isn’t the ideal bracket for you.
Mid-range
Speciality coffee scrubs cost $16 to $35. These are made with high-quality ingredients, many of which are organic or non-GMO. Many of these coffee scrubs are formulated with common skin issues in mind, so you’re likely to find a variety that suits your skin in this range.
Expensive
Luxury coffee scrubs cost anywhere from $40 to $60 and are typically made by luxury or boutique beauty brands. They’re formulated with the finest, most expensive ingredients on the market. Some consumers report superior results from these coffee scrubs, whereas others say you’re merely paying a premium for the name on the label.
Did You Know?
Many coffee scrubs contain sweet ingredients like brown sugar or honey. While they tout their incredible benefits, the scent can attract insects if you’re outdoors. For that reason, many consumers use a plain, fragrance-free scrub during the day and save the coffee scrub for evening use only.
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Tips
- Pay attention to expiration dates. Some coffee scrubs are marked with an expiration date, especially those that are free of preservatives. Using expired scrub, or any expired product, can result in skin irritation or breakouts.
- Don’t use the coffee scrub on your face. Even if the coffee scrub is marketed as an “all-over” product, it’s not ideally formulated for use on the face. Use an exfoliator specifically formulated for the face to avoid damaging or irritating fragile skin.
- Do a spot test first. To see whether your skin can tolerate a new coffee scrub, spot test it in a small area first, like the inside of your elbow. If there is no reaction and it’s noticeably smoother, it’s a sure sign that the rest of your body will respond well to the coffee scrub, too.
FAQ
Q. How are coffee scrubs typically packaged?
A. Most coffee scrubs are sold in jars or tubs with a twist-off lid, making it easy to scoop out the product. Some manufacturers even include a mini spatula for contact-free dispensing. Some manufacturers sell coffee scrubs in resealable bags or squeeze tubes. No matter what the packaging, though, always make sure to tightly close it between uses to prevent moisture and contaminants from getting into the product.
Q. Do I have to exfoliate my entire body with coffee scrub?
A. No, and in fact, many consumers purchase a coffee scrub to target certain areas, such as cellulite, stretch marks, knees, or ankles. Other consumers use coffee scrub as their go-to foot exfoliator as well, especially if they struggle to smooth over rough and bumpy heels or balls of the feet.
Q. What’s the best way to apply coffee scrub?
A. To prevent damaging the skin, it’s best to avoid using a shower pouf or washcloth with the scrub. Instead, it’s recommended that you gently rub the coffee scrub in a circular motion for about 30 seconds per area. Once you’ve finished, rinse off the scrub with lukewarm water, and pat the skin dry with a soft cotton towel.
